The VGP Foundation is proud to support the continued restoration of the historic Winter Garden of the Ursulines in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium. Together with Stichting Kempens Landschap, CVO Encora, and Nimeto, we are helping to preserve an exceptional piece of cultural heritage while investing in the next generation of restoration specialists.
A new phase of the restoration project focuses on the Empire Corrider, the richly decorated passageway that connects to the iconic Art Nouveau Winter Garden. Years of wear, pollution, flaking paint, and minor damage have affected the corridor’s decorative finishes and ceiling. Carefully planned restoration work is now being carried out to prevent further deterioration and restore the space’s original character.
What makes this project particularly valuable is its strong educational component. In collaboration with restoration training centres CVO Encora (Antwerp) and Nimeto (Utrecht), students specializing in heritage restoration are gaining hands-on experience by contributing to the conservation works under professional supervision. This unique learning environment allows them to apply their technical skills in a real-life restoration setting while developing valuable experience in teamwork, project management, and traditional craftsmanship.
At the VGP Foundation, we believe that safeguarding cultural heritage goes hand in hand with preserving the skills needed to maintain it. By supporting this initiative, we are not only contributing to the restoration of one of Flanders’ most remarkable Art Nouveau heritage sites, but also helping to ensure that specialist restoration knowledge is passed on to future generations.
We are delighted to partner with Stichting Kempens Landschap, whose long-term commitment to restoring, enhancing, and bringing this unique heritage site to a wider audience continues to create lasting cultural and social value. Together, we are helping to preserve an important part of Belgium’s architectural heritage for generations to come
